Darmon Meader - Losing My Mind




	Singer, saxophonist, arranger, composer and founding member of The New York Voices are all aspects of Darmon Meader. He hereby releases his second solo project, on which he performs classics from the Great American Songbook, with the support of various ensembles, ranging from a quartet to a big band. He supplements those “old school” pop tunes with some original compositions. He himself says about it: “Why ‘Losing My Mind’? It seemed like the right title for a project that was recorded during a global pandemic. Finding creative energy during such an unclear time was a challenge, but it allowed me to dive into “back burner” ideas which lead to this collection of music. Much of this project was created virtually, with each musician recording on their own during the isolated months of 2020 and 2021. The five quartet songs were recorded at Strange Weather Studio in the fall of 2021, which was the first time most of us had recorded communally in almost two years. It was a very joyful session after such a long respite, and the chance to musically interact again was inspiring.” Standards include ‘It Could Happen to You’, the bossa nova title track, ‘Softly, As In a Morning Sunrise’, ‘I Hear Music’, Brazil's ‘Lembra de Mim’, ‘The Last Thing On My Mind’, ‘East of the Sun (West of the Moon)' and 'The Song Is You'. Add to that the lovely Brazilian cover of ‘Lovely Day’ (Bill Withers) accompanied by The New York Voices, and a cover of The Beatles' ‘All My Loving’, plus 2 original tracks, and the album is complete. In addition to all vocals and saxophone parts, Darmon also took care of all arrangements. His friend Elliot Scheiner handled the mixing. In this way, Darmon wants to bridge the gap between those classics and newer material.

		1. It Could Happen to You 5:32 By Johnny Burke & Jimmy Van Heusen Piano – Andy Ezrin Bass – Jay Anderson Drums – Marcello Pellitteri 2. Losing My Mind 6:04 By Stephen Sondheim Piano – Andy Ezrin Guitar – Romero Lubambo Bass – Jay Anderson Drums – Ben Wittman Flute – Steve Kenyon Clarinet – Darmon Meader Violins: Gina Buzzelli & Maria Rusu Viola: Maria Rusu Cello: Cesar Colmenares & Teodore Rusu 3. Last Call 6:41 By Darmon Meader Guest vocalist: Rosana Eckert Piano – Andy Ezrin Bass – Ike Sturm Drums – Ben Wittman 4. Softly, As In a Morning Sunrise 5:35 By Sigmund Romberg & Oscar Hammerstein II Piano – Andy Ezrin Bass – Ike Sturm Drums – Ben Wittman Alto & Tenor Sax – Darmon Meader Bari Sax – Steve Kenyon Trumpets – Frank Greene & Scotty Barnhart (soloist) Trombones – Mike Davis & Jay Ashby Trumpet Solo: Scotty Barnhart 5. Gaia’s Lament 4:49 By Darmon Meader Piano – Andy Ezrin Bass – Jay Anderson Drums – Marcello Pellitteri 6. I Hear Music 3:40 By Burton Lane & Frank Loesser Piano – Andy Ezrin Bass – Jay Anderson Drums – Marcello Pellitteri 7. Lembra de Mim 5:38 By Ivan Lins & Vitor Martins Piano – Andy Ezrin Guitar – Romero Lubambo Bass – Lincoln Goines Drums – Ben Wittman Alto & Tenor Sax, Flute – Darmon Meader Bari Sax & Flute – Steve Kenyon Trumpets – Frank Greene & Scotty Barnhart Trombones – Mike Davis & Jay Ashby (soloist) 8. The Last Thing On My Mind 5:00 By Tom Paxton Piano – Andy Ezrin Bass – Jay Anderson Drums – Ben Wittman Violins: Gina Buzzelli & Maria Rusu Viola: Maria Rusu Cello: Cesar Colmenares & Teodore Rusu 9. Lovely Day (feat. New York Voices) 4:50 By Bill Withers & Skip Scarborough Guest Vocalists: Kim Nazarian, Lauren Kinhan & Peter Eldridge Piano – Andy Ezrin Guitar – Romero Lubambo Bass – Leo Traversa Drums – Ben Wittman Percussion – Jay Ashby Alto & Tenor Sax – Darmon Meader Bari Sax – Steve Kenyon Trumpets – Frank Greene & Scotty Barnhart Trombone – Mike Davis “Lovely Day” Choir – Rosana Eckert, Noielle Eckert,Wendy Jones, Eli Martin, Lori Lynn Meader, Anne Czichowsky,Uli Trost, Nina Ruckhaber, Gary Eckert, Greg Jasperse,Mathias Moronvalle, Pascal Pahl, Reginald Bowens 10. East of the Sun (West of the Moon) 6:05 By Brooks Bowman Piano – Andy Ezrin Bass – Jay Anderson Drums – Marcello Pellitteri 11. All My Loving 5:18 By John Lennon & Paul McCartney Piano – Andy Ezrin Guitar – Romero Lubambo Bass – Jay Anderson Drums – Marcello Pellitteri 12. The Song Is You 5:36 By Jerome Kern & Oscar Hammerstein II Piano – Andy Ezrin Bass – Jay Anderson Drums – Ben Wittman Alto & Tenor Sax – Darmon Meader Bari Sax – Steve Kenyon Trumpets – Frank Greene & Scotty Barnhart Trombones – Mike Davis & Jay Ashby Website www.darmonmeader.com PLAYERS & INSTRUMENT: Christopher McBride - Saxophone JS Williams: Trumpet Jonathan Edward Thomas - Piano Noah Jackson: Bass Cedric Easton: Drums Morgan Burrs (Track 6): Guitar Bobby Broom (Track 3): Guitar J Hoard (Track 5): Vocals Kenny Bentley (Track 12): Tuba Corey A. Wallace: Trombone Luke Carlos O’Reiley: Piano (Track 13), Keys